I put a deposit down on a 2001 x-star Friday, and it's now in the shop being detailed and serviced before we take it out for a drive this week. This is my first wakeboat purchase - I've owned an I/O prior, and have been driving friend's wakeboats for about 6 years now.

By all appearances, this is a mint boat. 290 hours, no hull scuffs from beaching, vinyl is perfect (no tears or pink discoloring), no spider cracks at the tower connection. It is in the shop right now having the oil/impeller/plugs done, steering cable lubricated, and vdrive shaft seal replaced.

Obvious things I know to look for - vibration in the steering from prop/rudder damage, visible water leaks, etc. Question would be - common problems with this gen x-star/205v, particular areas to look at, and a checklist of things to look for.

Thanks!

fouroheight68

02-03-2013, 11:24 AM

Also, is a boat history report worth getting? What's the best site, if so?

Iskidaily

02-03-2013, 11:34 AM

Great boat. Since you are near the ocean, you should understand if it has been in saltwater. That generation had upholstery problems after lots of exposure to sun, so sounds like its been covered. The low hours are great! You will want to know about potential large expenses after you buy. See if you can take it out loaded up and give a rider a pull out of the water to see if the prop / engine combo is right - new props are $500+.

sand2snow22

02-03-2013, 11:46 AM

If it's hard to turn, needs a new steering cable. Make sure EVERYTHING works.

fouroheight68

02-03-2013, 11:51 AM

Great boat. Since you are near the ocean, you should understand if it has been in saltwater. That generation had upholstery problems after lots of exposure to sun, so sounds like its been covered. The low hours are great! You will want to know about potential large expenses after you buy. See if you can take it out loaded up and give a rider a pull out of the water to see if the prop / engine combo is right - new props are $500+.

Thanks! Near the ocean, yes, but everyone up here rides the delta. Never been in saltwater... I'd like to get a pull, but early February in Northern CA - too cold!

dvsone79

02-03-2013, 12:09 PM

You've already covered most of the things I'd check for. Vibration, ease of steering, etc. Even if you can't pull anyone, see if you can load it down and do some starts. Might give you an idea of what the hole shot is going to be like.

Jerseydave

02-03-2013, 12:50 PM

One thing to check, there is an MMDC module under the dash that controls all the guages. Water pressure is fed to it via the pitot tubes at the stern, this water pressure is how the dash speedo gets it's reading.

I have seen where the MMDC has problems allowing water to enter the circuit board and causing damage to it making the guages stop working. My buddy has an '01 X-star and this happened to him, he had to replace the MMDC and all the guages. $$$

I'm not sure what the proper prodedure is to check the MMDC, maybe someone else on here can explain it. Other than that, the '01 X-star is a great wakeboard boat. What engine is in this one? Does it have rear hard tanks? If so, you may want to pull those out and replace with 750# sacs in the rear and run extra ballast up front as well. Depends on how big you want your wake.

mikeg205

02-03-2013, 01:26 PM

2001 had pitots? not paddle wheels? when did the switch become the new standard. - Water to a controller for speed measurement? ... eash... slap that engineer... ;)

fouroheight68

02-04-2013, 11:39 AM

I did notice some condensation in the speedo when I looked the boat over (haven't gotten on the water yet). Should be a concern?

Jerseydave

02-04-2013, 12:09 PM

I did notice some condensation in the speedo when I looked the boat over (haven't gotten on the water yet). Should be a concern?

Might be a sign of water getting into the guage. You may have to remove a cover on the MMDC or somehow take it apart to see if water is getting into the circuit board area. Ask the guy it he ever replaced the MMDC before.

Does it have perfect pass? If so, you could pull the water hose off the MMDC and plug it rendering the stock speedo inop. At least that way the MMDC will never get water in it in the future.

fouroheight68

02-04-2013, 03:15 PM

Yes, it has PP. Where is the MMDC located exactly? Behind the dash I assume?

wheelerd

02-05-2013, 01:13 AM

I had to replace the MMDC on my 01 X5. But since the gauges are electro-mechanical there is no way for water damage to the MMDC to affect them. If there is condensation in a gauge face it would have had to occur some other way -- a crack in the glass or a bad seal or something.